Wednesday
Feb242010
CO-OP Live 0103 -- The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom, Skate 3, Puddle, and Monaco
matt chandronaitIn this live show, we experimented with all-live gameplay. First it was the delightfully delicious The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom and two awesome Independent Game Festival finalists Monaco and Puddle. Ryan was an IGF judge for the festival this year so he’s got some unique perspectives to share. Also, Cesar and Jason got to see Skate 3 and are all in a tizzy about it! More after the show:
Big thanks to our friend Sirron Norris for letting us use his gallery for the shooting of the Skate 3 preview. If you like his art, buy some of his stuff at www.sirronnorris.com.
Also, just how Indie is too indie? We pretty much give the definitive answer this week. Enjoy the show!
Reader Comments (31)
It's better...I think...maybe. I'm still not feeling it. It's still very awkward. The lighting isn't working (it feels like you're in a gym)...can't you guys get some house lights/incandescents in there?
I think some guests would help. Every week ok co-op, you'd have guests from your network of journalists...we've seen very little of anyone other than you guys since the start of "Live"...and frankly, you guys are video producers...not reviewers. Your opinions are valued, but we're not here just to listen to you guys (sorry if that's a tad harsh). But getting friends in on it would really go a long way to improve things.
Keep trying...I'll tell you guys if an when you've lost it completely. Hopefully that won't happen and I can tell you guys you've hit your stride soon. But be careful...I think some in the audience may be starting to feel the strain. Time is becoming somewhat a factor.
Long time viewer, first time poster. Just wanted to let you guys know I really appreciate what you are doing. The new format is growing on me for sure. Also big props to you guys on your RebelFM podcast appearances. I'm glad I found you guys on the interwebs. Keep up the good work.
Just like Ryan H., long time viewer, first time poster. The format is working for me, it's relaxed, it's familiar. I watch your show 'cause I don't really feel like delving into games reviews that sound like academic papers. I wanna hear an opinion that sound like something a friend gamer of mine could give. Kudos.
had to wipe the sweat off of my monitor after that one...think matt's "simmering hate" after the tech diff heated up my computer a good 2 degrees.....
You need a director that knows (ahead of time like a mind reader) when to switch cameras/feeds..
and WTF? you're pros with your own TV show and you can't get direct feed.
pfffff
P.B. Winterbottom looks incredible. It's amazing what great art direction and gameplay can do. Go indie developers! Also, I really liked how you talked about Skate 3, kuz' now I'm interested, haha. Also, that was a cool-ass gallery!
This episode heated things up even more, and I appreciated how you guys threw in the pre-recorded footage. Brings me back to the old days, or something like that. :P However, it does feel a bit lonely without people like Tiff or Dan coming in to talk about games too. Also, Caesar should talk more.
PS: Remember how you guys went to places like the "arcade" in Santa Cruz or talked about tasty & cheap food? Will you ever go back to doing things like that. I know some viewers are put off by that stuff since it had nothing to do with gaming, but I really enjoyed watching those segments. It truly made you guys unique.
Keep rockin'!
Another great show Coop Live!
This episode had more edited sequences which I was happy about, but the humor needs some improvement...
@Matt Game selections were great and I was wondering what all 30 or 40 games that Ryan had mentioned were?
Also, if you ever get the chance, retro PWnage, please? Come on you know you want to.
The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom looks like it could be another cult classic. The art style makes it stand out from the crowd, which I think is needed for an indie game to be sucessful on XBL or PSN.
As someone said above I think some guests would help the live shows. To show an indie game and have the developer talking about it would be something I would be interested in, I am sure this is something you are already thinking about.
p.s. as said in the show Plants Vs Zombies is great
Regards
Al
ind of a meh show today to be honest. If you're in front of the camera please don't dwell on matters that can only be solved behind the camera. Just roll with it.
Also you fielded only the most vapid questions. What other platforms can we play this on? Where can we get it? Come on, that's stuff you were going to discuss without having been asked. How about something more provocative that will instigate some conversation? Maybe at the end of each show give us a topic to think about and ask questions about all week, and you can take one or two and address those?
I know these little speedbumps pale in comparison to the hurdles you surpass to bring us a live show, and I did still enjoy this week's show, but I admit that I was not riveted like I usually am.
Great show! I can see how the new format can really provide some interesting segments in the future...although i must admit i also miss the storyline structure of the older CO-OP shows....
Regardless i still watch your show every single week and have so much respect for what you do.
I actually heard about your show from another podcast over at Secondplaythrough.com , they were going on about how amazing your show is so im glad i took their advice.
keep up the great work.
JcB
I would also love to see some live VS gaming action..make it a section, like a Street Fighter or other 1v1 game where we can watch two of you battle for our respect. Now that's entertainment.
and no MAG review? OMG.
Now get in there and steel those transports.
I used to watch the 1UP Show when that was still around and it's the same quality show as it was back then, although the only thing missing is the 1UP staff. Hope you're able to get a few as guests from time to time. I don't really care which format you guys use, just as long as you keep making great shows!
@Jamie D. Please don't assume everyone has the same opinion as you. I actually do watch this show to listen to their opinions, if I wanted a plain review I could just look on any other gaming website. Oh and why exactly is your opinion so important that these guys have to be told by you when their show is going bad? I think they'd know themselves if that ever happened. Could you be anymore condescending? Wow.
I'm getting used to the live format now, and it is clear that you guys are more comfortable with it in front of the cameras too. As someone else said above, would be nice to see a couple of guests every week too to keep things interesting. I'll vote for Kat and Tiff for next week's show (predictable, but there you go). Is there a reason why you don't show the sponsor adds rather than articulating them live? Would maybe give you a chance to swap guests in/out, quickly sort out anything else while the add is on etc.
Keep up the great work. Long time viewer, occasional commenter.
--Ian.
Been loving the new format, away this weekend but I have coop downloaded and ready to come with me :)
I like your shoes, Ryan.
i wants the pb
I'm kind of surprised you guys don't have a link for the t-shirts on this post. The designs look amazing. I'm just having trouble deciding which color to get.
I sort of stopped watching CO-OP. I used to download it weekly, but what killed it for me was all the iPhone stuff. I don't have an iPhone nor plan on ever getting one, so it was like... really irrelevent hearing you talk about iPhone games constantly. The iPhone's cool n' all, but I don't like the idea of playing games with just a touchscreen. Also all the indie stuff, it's great you're supporting the smaller indie games and all, but it kinda does nothing for me as a viewer, I'd much rather just hear you guys discuss games that I'm actually going to buy on the consoles/ PC. It would be nice if you guys made 2 seperate shows, one for mainstream games/consoles and one for iPhone/indie stuff.
I don't care about Iphone games but I enjoy watching the guys deconstruct them. I just hope they'll still talk about PC games.
I think you guys are spending too much time on your main games...I get that you're going for quality not quantity but you could skip the dead time on air repeating yourselves and review more games.
Way to get in some indie coverage! It's great to see you guys put the spotlight on some great games that swim against the mainstream.
You know what - just because some game XYZ part 5 is coming out or was just released doesn't mean co-op has to cover it, unless they're feeling it.
Hi guys,
Love the old co-op and long time fan of what you did at 1up. I think the 'live episode' is a good idea but right now its not really engaging for me. What I do like is that it gives you more opportunity to experiment with your readers and really you guys should keep the live show but definitely need some tweaks. Some thoughts I had,
- live calls with your fans, twitter posts dont really cut it - being live should mean being interactive with your fans.
- more guests as people have mentioned (Jeff Green!), developer if possible
- don't stay too long on a game - watched bioshock last week and it went far too long - great for fans who want to play it but those that don't will be turning off... maximum of 7-10 minutes. and even less for an indie/short game. i don't really care about winterbottom and id be happy to watch it for a couple of mins - it looks great the art style looks amazing, but for your whole preview i didn't really care what you had to say for it. you know isn't that what indie games are all bout - discovery? - no point for you guys to talk about the whole game. plus is there someone who likes every game you show - probably not. so keep it short to keep people watching.
- your conversations are less engaging now as a lot of people have mentioned. it needs structure, not stupid structure like gametrailers or ign have for their reviews, but even your old co-op discussions had more structure than what you had right now. its definitely to do with being live and not edited. short sharp and snappy. show more games guys - yes i know there's less time for you to play them - but happy for a half hour short show than a long tedious show that i dont watch.
- you need a host - i know you want to go with something different - but its a bit of a mess right now, each segment needs direction - things that need to be discussed, short sharp snappy. right now thoughts are just bouncing left and right
- live play should highlight points or play through one level of mario or something. the thing is you're the stars of the show. the reason people come back to see you isn't the games, its you guys, the games are changing every week. don't try and force people to try/buy/like games - just introduce great games and let people make their own judgement. and most gamers find it boring to watch other people play, they'd rather play themselves so just introduce it.
- please stop describing games as 'i had a lot of fun with that', 'its really cool' and other gaming cliches
- the background sets have improved weekly, it still looks like a finely decorated game room (which i know is what u are going for), but its a bit feminine for 6 guys to be honest, neutral would be good, but professional would be best, this is probably the most costly part, but a couch (with the host in a different chair), three guests, discuss the games, take calls, play some live games, have a sketch like you usually do, random short segments, introduce the people you have on the show and what you are doing on the show today.
Good Luck guys - You guys are really professional in your content delivery, getting all the technical stuff set up live etc. Fix up what actually gets delivered and you'll have a great show.
you guys need some guests! as much as i love you guys you need to have some different faces in there once in awhile. try to get the rebel fm crew, or tiff, ppl that are funny and interesting to hear their opinion, you guys have alot in common, and i think it would be interesting if someone didn't like the game and there would be a friendly debate, so a guest might create that.
wasn't a huge fan of showing the game live instead of recorded clips, once in awhile its okay but you can't do it for every game, like mass effect 2 for example... and like commented above already, someone should take charge of the show and become a host of some sorts, help things keep going and run smoothly. think of it like a audio podcast i suppose.
anyways i enjoy the show every week regardless of the games, keep doing what you guys are doing you guys are great!
Ryan's "put me in development" pitch speech was awkward. Reviewers need to stop doing that shit.
I've just discovered Co-op and I'm stunned. This is an awesome videocast and really, really well made.
Im sorry guys Im just being honest but I don't know about the whole "live" thing. I much more prefer the old format. It was much more interesting, funny, intelligent, etc. Keep up the work though, I'd like what you guys produce I just think its not going to be able to get up to the quality of your prerecorded stuff.
Monaco reminds me of a game I played on my Commondore 64 called "They Stole a Million", it was a pure strategy game where you first planned the heist, and then executed it. It was crazy hard but very awesome, check it out.
From TSaM Wiki entry: "The planning stage allows the player to set waypoints, actions and the times at which the actions should take place. For example, the alarm specialist needs 2 minutes to disable the alarm for a certain display. After 2 minutes, the lock picking master opens the display and takes the loot."
So far I'd probably say I prefer the old format as well. But I'm not giving up hope, as you are the only podcast I can get through every episode on a weekly basis. And also look forward to it.
You should take a look at your studio lighting / white balance in your cameras because ever since your live format switchover there's been a blue/purplish tint to everything and everyone.
Strange that Matt hasn't shown up to respond to any comments from this episode.
Just wanted to chip in with best wishes for the new live shows, and that generally I'm happy with them so far and I expect to see them go from strength to strength. Some obvious teething problems, but you'll find your way soon enough. James covered most of the bullet points a few posts up, but if I could offer one piece of constructive criticism, it would be that playing the games live is potentially a mistake. Well, in certain carefully chosen instances it might be awesome, but if you do it as you did in this show, you'll be selling yourself and the games short.
The purpose of showing game footage is to illustrate certain points, and normally you guys are brilliant at this. The trouble with doing it live is that instead of jumping straight to a VT clip of a section of a game, we have to wait through a game's loading screen for someone to start playing. Then we have to witness someone failing to reach said section several times due to nerves/display lag/numptiness. Then we have to witness someone fiddling with video settings trying to fix the picture ... well, you get the idea. Showing the games is what you guys do, and showing them live doesn't add anything positive to what you normally do, but it does add a bunch of negatives. Choosing the footage in advance is a much smoother, cleaner, and more professional approach.
Playing live will be a good feature to have, but save it for special occasions. Maybe for some 1 Vs 1 Street Fighter/Soulcalibur grudge matches, or to show off how a level of a co-op game works in reality. Something where it's a solid block of gaming where we can place imaginary sidebets and cheer on someone. For showing off a game though, your normal way of doing things is much better. Well, it works better for me at least.
I'd like to second the request for actual gamer voices added in, Twitter and email for collecting questions for pre-recorded events, when it's happening live get some people on Skype. Kind of pointless doing it live unless you actually interact with the audience. I could go on, but James really did offer you some stellar advice in his post, and I don't want to just end up repeating all of his points.
It is great to see you all still going strong after a year at this, you've shown that hard work and sheer bloody minded determination count for a lot. Good on you boys.